ARK animal neglect hearing today

The fate of more than 130 cats and dogs seized from a DeLand animal shelter could hang in the balance during a court hearing Monday over allegations of mistreatment.

MARK I. JOHNSONSTAFF WRITER

The fate of more than 130 cats and dogs seized from a DeLand animal shelter could hang in the balance during a court hearing Monday over allegations of mistreatment. The hearing before County Judge Shirley Green is slated for 1 p.m. in Room 3B of the Volusia County Courthouse, 101 N. Alabama Ave. The animals were seized from Animal Rescue Konsortium Inc., 441 S. Woodland Blvd., after police received complaints of overcrowding and neglect. DeLand police and animal control officers served a search warrant at the downtown shelter Nov. 8, and said they found substandard conditions. In his petition seeking the hearing on whether ARK officials and volunteers are able to provide adequate care for the animals, DeLand City Attorney Darren Elkind claimed the animals were living in conditions that constituted neglect and/or cruelty. "This petition is filed for the purpose of determining the disposition of the seized animals," Elkind wrote. Attorney Tanner Andrews, who represents ARK, said organization president Maggie Hall and her helpers "will be vindicated." He will ask that the cats and dogs be returned to ARK and the organization will receive its court costs and "other such relief as may be just."